Smokers - the biggest people being discriminated against

clarkeyh

The people who complain are only a select few but that does not at all mean that it is not the view of many millions of Australians who agree that smokers should be penalised financially for persisting with their habit. Although I agree that smokers are socially handicapped regarding the factor of being forced into a separate area, the voluntary habit is a plight on our health system. As with all excises like petrol, alcohol and so on, these are efforts to restrict the exploitation of resources funded by taxes like roads, hospitals and public safety. The government is responsible for guiding society into a set of behaviours that are respectful of others. While you and fellow smokers call it discrimination, this is a habit that is ridiculous and is gratuitous and blatantly detrimental to your health and passive smokers around you. This sentiment you explain is not in any way worthy of the sympathy you request.

Anonymous

I'm a smoker and I discriminate against smokers. I don't try to justify my habit to myself through all the bullshit that most smokers do. I used to. I used to be an idiot just like you. Then I woke up to the increasing health problems it actually creates and the sheer amount of waste, also. Let's not go into the industry itself, however, as that requires an essay response. I assure you, however, that it is not positive.

If you feel discriminated against as a smoker, maybe you should try quitting and seeing what it's like on the other side. Smoke fucking stinks. It's not just stinky, it actually invades your nostrils and gets on your clothes. I'd much rather get a whiff of gas from a passing car than stand next to someone smoking a tailor. I'm a smoker and when I smell tailors I want to fucking puke. I smoke rollies and barely do I ever get turned off by the smell. Even my mother who is extremely anti-smoking can tolerate the smell of rollies. If people switched, then maybe there would be less discrimination. As it stands - fucking deal with the fact that you are a walking stink bomb and deserve to cop the same amount of shit as a dirty hobo might get or quit complaining.

alienmyst

An interesting fact you could quote next time someone gives you grief about smoking: sincce smoking has been banned on plans , trains and bus, the air quality has deteriorated and more people have been getting sick, apparently when smokes travelled on these forms of transport the air was recycled more often then necessary and now it is being recycled below the required levels for heath of the passangers. I find it annoying as a smoker to be descriminated against more than most,. Overweight is becoming the norm and is as much a health hazzard if not more so as it is proven that overweight carries with it risk of diease or death, not so as of yet with smoking. They have not yet proven any of the claims, as we all carry cancer within us, just some are prone to it becoming active

alienmyst

An interesting fact you could quote next time someone gives you grief about smoking: sincce smoking has been banned on plans , trains and bus, the air quality has deteriorated and more people have...

^ excuse my errors ^since and planes and any others I may have made...just a little irritated about the attitude of others these days, if smoking was the worst thing that goes on around me I would give up , but when you realistically look around , smoking is a minimal and harmless past time , open your eyes people and stop giving other people a hard time...the world is going to the dogs

Anonymous

Good on You!

trix56

HEAR!!!!!HEAR!!!!!!

trix56

HEAR!!!!!HEAR!!!!!!

That was in reply to Ralphy and not last comment.
My parents smoked but out of 4 kids I was the only one who became a smoker. Because of this (and having kids ourselves) We DID become considerate smokers. When others were around we didn't smoke inside. We would move away from diners in a restaurant. Not smoke in the car when carrying passengers (kids or adults). Most smokers these days are considerate of their non-smoking counterparts.
I don't mind the cost! (If I did I'd quit) but yes, am becoming very enraged as we gradually lose our rights. Now they're talking about not letting us smoke in our own cars either by ourselves or with other consenting adults. Can imagine the increase in road rage that this will incur.

manx

Smokers are a burden on society - most unproductive workers, daily lifestyle decisions made on availability of "smoko", and eventually a drain on the health system. All efforts to discourage smoking should be enforced.

sherri

Actually I agree with you Ralphy. I am a non-smoker, and according to your theory I 'should' be up in arms at your comment, but as long as your smoking does not force me to breathe second-hand smoke, (with it's associated health problems) then why should I object to what you do.

It is your informed choice. And yes, you do pay for the privelege, and though smokers are likely to be over-represented as health consumers as they age...you HAVE paid your way there also. There is absolutely no reasoned objection that I could now possibly have to your choice to smoke.

I can only think that this continued tightening up with regard to all things smoking is either a money grabbing exercise by governments and or a misguided attempt to guilt/scare/bully you into giving up. - but governments can get kudos from being seen to do something even though they KNOW that it can't work.

peppi6

I can relate to so many of your above comments. I too grew up where everyone around me smoked. At times the house was overwhelmed in smoke. I hated it. People smoked in cars, trains and I remember travelling to school in peak hour totally surrounded by smokers. What happened, yes I am a smoker and now having a lot of difficulty to quit. I make a definite point not to smoke in the house, car and now not in public places for obvious reasons. I smoke in my own little outdoor reclusion. Having said all that what is the Govt. doing to help us who would like to quit? Like mentioned earlier a lot is spent else where and if they were in the best interest ban cigarettes altogether. I for one would not be out buying or seeking them out to end up with a record or jail sentence, what a deterrant that would be and get people to stop??

Anonymous

Well Ralphy you certainly have started something!! I think the whole smoking thing is discrimination. As for the non smokers or anti smokers or reformed smokers, yes you have a choice to not smoke, so then go away.

Love what phoenixarizona said - wish I had been there to see the look on the security guard's face. Totally agree. Does anyone realise though that there are so many other pollutants that cause the illnesses.

I am a smoker, have smoked for years and up until 12 months ago in perfect health. Got sick after an operation and stayed sick for a whole year. The doctor ordered thousands of blood tests and there were some issues. EVERY SINGLE THING that was an issue was blamed on smoking or alcohol. What was actually wrong in the end after a year of illness, tests and specialists and blah blah - was that I have an auto immune disease - something which is there when I am born in my genes. It is not caused by smoking or alcohol.

I am fed up with these two things being the cause of everything. And for the excuse that the excise applied to our yummy little habit (I wish they would make cigarettes double the length) is because of the horrendous health cost - oh blah blah blah

That is until I read the paper on Sunday when I was overjoyed!

I did a jig and had a great laugh to see that the government is thinking of implementing a FAT tax - watch the backlash on that one, hate Julia Gillard but would love to high five on that one.

There are way more disgustingly self-inflicted fatties in Sydney than there are smokers. NOTE I said self-inflicted - I am aware that there are people around with hormone fatness and other fatness that is not self-inflicted. Imagine the outrage of these disgustos when they have to pay a 50% excise on their double-whammy-my-butt-is-so-big-I-need-to-pay-for-two-seats-on-the-bus-whopper-burger and upsized to a super double whammy. Totally hilarious.

Smokers - relax, the country and the government have just discovered the new pariah of society

Paul

I gave up about 2 and a half months ago after 23 years and I'm damn glad of it. I do understand how smokers feel though; as if they're being punished for something that was okay last week, a bit naughty yesterday and now, somehow, is evil. I still get pissed off when I see teenagers on tele going on about all smokers being, 'Idiots' and 'morons'. Who the f*** do they think they are? the little twerps. I know for a fact that many of the 'studies have proved...' advertisements are crap. There was an ad on a while ago saying that half of all people who smoke will di. How stupid do they think we are??? Smoking is an unhealthy and even dangerous habit but its not 'evil' or necessarily 'stupid'. Oh, its fine to jump off a bridge with a rubber band tied round your ankle or jump out of an aeroplane holding onto an umbrella; no worries! Its just becoming something that people are 'allowed to hate'. Y'know? Like Child molesters? and terrorists? Pah....makes me want to start again....

Ceci

I quit smoking 4 years ago and I still remember the sweet venom going through my lungs and his perfect mate, the beer. Feel free to chose your way leaving this world and do it where ever you feel like it. Just don't make me pay for your last minute cure.

mermaid

Add the cash paid to the tobacco companies and governments over the years and you have yourself a house car and a better quality of life not to mention health. Seriously its your choice stop or comply its that simple

bluey42

I am a smoker my self I remeber when pkts were around $3.50( opps showing my age here *L*) yeah I feel the same here its like we have something wrong with us?? whats the diff drinking your self stupor? or smoking?? i dont see the diff

maggie

Margaret says she also has smoked for 50 years, I have tried to give up constantly but all efforts failed, they are too dear, but, it is the only "bad habit: I enjoy. I do not go to the local Club anymore as we can't sit as a group of friends, the non smokers can sit in comfort inside whilst us social lepers have to sit out on the balcony in all weathers

888shelley

Margaret says she also has smoked for 50 years, I have tried to give up constantly but all efforts failed, they are too dear, but, it is the only "bad habit: I enjoy. I do not go to the local Club...

Hmmm... I agree wholeheartedly, we go to our local with various friends who fortunately as k us if we would like to go out for a puff and they don't smoke!! There should be smoking areas everywhere as we pay the same money for meals, drinks etc but have to exit stage left for a puff/. We are considerate of others who choose not to smoke so why can't they be a little considerate of us. I love it in Asia where if you move away from someone to enjoy your smoke they feel that you think they are not good enough to smoke with even if they are not smokers!

Chris

I, too, am a smoker and agree wholeheartedly with Ralphy. What annoys me especially is the fact that drinking is allowed and yet not smoking. Whoever heard of a car crash being caused by smoking? Also, most airports now do not allow smoking. A few years ago when I went to the UK, Heathrow used to have a very large room dedicated to smokers but last year there were signs all over the place stating that it was illigal to smoke anywhere in the building. Goodness knows what happened to that large room which was out of the way and couldn't possibly have affected non smokers.

I've noticed that you can't even smoke in the open air these days such as parks, beaches and the like. It's becoming quite ridiculous, who owns that air space?

Anonymous

Agree totally. Smoking is an individual choice. It is Legal in Australia, so why are smokers being made to hide where they can't be seen by passing Joe Public? Fair enough in areas with kids, but why outdoors?

Phoenixarizona

I am 100% with you mate. It's all getting beyond a joke.
I agree we shouldn't smoke in our houses or cars if kids are going to breathe it in, only because they haven't made the choice to smoke.
You can't smoke on a train station anymore (even out in the open).
I remember once I was in a carpark at a shopping centre having a cigarette before getting in my car. The security guard said I had to put it out and go because I could be affecting the health of others. This enraged me. My reply was "how will it affect the health of others?" and he told me that there was not enough fresh air to 'dilute' my cigarette smoke. My reply was " if there is not enough air then why are you allowing 400 cars to park here? Don't you know that people die from carbon monoxide poisoning when they breathe in exhaust fumes? If there is not enough air for my one cigarette then maybe I should contact the authorities about the serious health hazard of this car park." Obviously the security guard left me alone.
What makes me especially mad is the whole pub thing. The public bar was originally invented so that men could go and enjoy their brandy and cigars away from the women and children and now we have been kicked out of there.
Now non smokers have realised that the outdoor regions in cafe's are nice and want to oust the smokers because our filthy little habit offends them? Are you serious? When will this stop?
If the government are going to enforce us pretty much not being able to smoke anywhere then the price of cigarettes go down.
Being addicted to cigarettes is the lesser of most addictions. When we smoke we don't become violent (like most drinkers). We won't rob a person in order to have a cigarette (like most heroin addicts) How about we leave the smokers alone!
Phoenix

trinketz

My view on smoking is: do what you want to your body, just don't inflict your habit on me and be considerate of others when you smoke in public. I don't smoke - actually I can't stand cigarette smoke, and after 2 bouts of pneumonia, my lungs can't handle smog or breathing in second hand smoke. I don't hate all smokers, but I can't stand inconsiderate smokers. Inconsiderate smokers are those that smoke in a crowd of people and don't think about others around them - a considerate smoker would at least step to the side, make sure the wind isn't blowing their smoke towards others (especially kids!), and throw their buts out in a garbage bin. Also people that smoke in bus stops - particularly covered bus stops. I hate it when people light up while sitting at a bus stop and they force people who were sitting down before them, or prevent others who need to sit down, to stand up because they don't want to breath in the smoke.

Growing up with a mother who smokes, I know better than to lecture someone about the health risks. Like I said, do what you want to your own body. Just be aware that there are other people out there who don't want to breath in smoke, and that some people can be quite affected by the smoke because they have medical conditions, etc. and think about them next time you want to light a cigarette when you're in public.

Lilibet

My view on smoking is: do what you want to your body, just don't inflict your habit on me and be considerate of others when you smoke in public. I don't smoke - actually I can't stand cigarette...

Smokers can and should be able to smoke in designated areas, however, if there is a seat in any public area , street, beach, park where ever , then frequently a smoker will sit and light up, therefore excluding many of the public who just want to sit and rest without having to hold their breath or breathe in second hand smoke. The real problem is that smoke drifts about on the breezes and affects a lot more area than just where the smoker is sitting! I live in an apartment building and I can smell and breather smoke from other units when occupants are outside on their decks enjoying a cigarette. My husband has serious lung problems and has never smoked in his life, but when the above happens, we are forced to close our doors to prevent smoke entering our home. No one owns the air we breathe, but we should be mindful that smoke does not just stay in one place and can and does affect others. Let's hope a solution to this problem is found soon so everyone can enjoy their lives without the angst and negativity that is directed at smokers everywhere

gaygay55

I like you enjoy a smoke and feel really agrieved that we have been banished. I agree about restaurants etc but we need a place to have set aside for us too. Fair is fair we have rights too.

Loz

I am a non-smoker and agree with a lot of things you say about the govt and your rights being taken away. However, I get asthmatic from cigarette smoke, and choose to keep away from smokers and their smoke. I object strongly to having to hold my breath each time I leave a shopping centre to pass through the smoke around the doorways and entrances. I agree there should be designated areas, and the govt should put some of the money they get from tobacco taxes into them. Do smokers think it is their right to litter the roads and footpaths with their butts?

Why are there not smoking beer gardens? Staff could be smokers and sign a waiver as to their health issues down the track and all could be happy. Fines for litterers of butts and other refuse should be enforced and ashtrays in smoking areas.

We can't stop smokers smoking, so why not allow special areas for it in public places, so non smokers don't have to inhale?

Anonymous

I always love the smokers niggle about smoking at work right and having to conform to certain requirements to satisfy their habit which is a health risk for themselves and others not to mention a burden on the health system and a drain on the tax payer.

Imagine if I was a compulsive knitter and I just needed to knit 5 mins 4 times during the course of my working day. Do you think it would be tolerated..... no way!

Come on smokers..... you made a choice. You chose to smoke and now you want everybody else to pander to you. Yes the govt could do this and that. Though at the end of the day people want freedom of choice. Will a consequence is you want to smoke then yes you pay a high price for it.....being the product cost (meant to deter), health issues, employers not being supportive, non smokers being peeved.

Grow up and take responsibility for yourself and your actions. Remember smoking doesn't just impact your health it impacts others, so if you really want to do it with no one complaining, do it within the confines of your car and home. After all you do have a choice.

Anonymous

all too true. i have smoked for 52 years and am now 5 days off them. ireally enjoy smoking but they are just too dear now. i waited until the patches went on pbs and got them $5.60.i really hated giving the pollies so much moey with every smoke i had.

Anonymous

This is tricky. I am incredibly anti-smoking because my grandpa died of lung cancer and I have always found it hard to grapple with why people choose to smoke considering it tastes bad, looks bad, smells bad, costs a fortune and on top of all that is incredibly dangerous...BUT I am also a strong believer in people's rights and feel that though it's a choice I don't agree with, it's their choice. Much like I don't agree with the amount of horrific fat-sugar-chemical laden food I see piled into many trolllies (my own sometimes admittedly)- it's a bad choice but it's theirs and this is both the great and the sad thing about living in a free society. I think if we are really aiming for a country free of discrimination we need to work out better ways for people to be able to make the choices they want without being discriminated against but also without their choices impacting others. I guess that would require genuine democracy and that might be asking too much...

aussiewoman

hi im another one who gets quite angry with the way smokers get treated Its my choice I dont see why us smokers put up with all the sh that is said about us .There are a lot more harmful things that people do to themselves and others without ever touching a ciggie

Proteus

Hmm...well I have to agree with most of the comments. I'm a smoker, amd am trying to quit, but not having much luck despite trying all and many so called things to stop me smoking. I would have to say though, over the past few months I have noticed the taste in the brand of cigarette I smoke has changed, and I am starting to dislike the taste of them so have changed brands, but they still taste strange. Is this another chemnical they ahve added I wonder? If the government was serious about stopping smokers, take them off the market, ban them. If they are unwilling to do this because of the revenue raised, why don't they start doing something about the harmful chemicals being added to cigarettes?? As for not being able to have a puff in public, well that's gong too far ...so lyes we are discriminated against for being smokers.

Bigmitch

I was raised in North Carolina, tobacco-growing state.
Tobacco was grown,cut, and dried. It was manufactured
with no chemicals added to it. Old-timers smoked and
lived to be 100. They never had lung cancer. But,
manufacturers became greedy, they started adding 10000
harmful chemicals to make people more addictive and
cancer, and death. You don't see Governments controlling Cigarette Manufacurers because their product is harmful, do you......

Coldan

as you say, if it so bad, ban it make smoking illegal, but the government won't because they make too much money, I am a smoker

Shay-Dee

Ok I totally agree with most of what you say.
I gave up earlier this year after 29 years as a smoker.
What I don't agree with, is that it does make people sick, and the ones it makes sick, it makes VERY sick.
I used to think it did not affect me even until I gave up, I am a lot healthier now.
I DO think the government should supply ashtrays in these "smoking areas" that are miles away from anything. They supply places for addicts to put their syringes, they supply places for addicts to get methadone when they are trying to quit, so why not ahstrays for smokers? Bet its cheaper too than what they do for addicts ... Thye can use the taxes they take from us to pay for it.

And if passive smoking is bad for people, smokers are in for a right treat, cos they passive smoke as well when they are around other smokers

Whimsy

Ralphy you are 100% correct. Discrimination towards smokers is rife. Will anything be done to stop this discrimination? Probably not. Doesn't make sense to me. Smoking is legal. Our government gives heroin addicts a safe place to inject and yet they pay no tax on their illegal heroin.

trix56

Ralphy you are 100% correct. Discrimination towards smokers is rife. Will anything be done to stop this discrimination? Probably not. Doesn't make sense to me. Smoking is legal. Our...

Good point! Hadn't thought of that one.

Anonymous

Ralphy you are 100% correct. Discrimination towards smokers is rife. Will anything be done to stop this discrimination? Probably not. Doesn't make sense to me. Smoking is legal. Our...

Yah !! I agree give me a smoking room and and subsidised smokes like they do the junkies. Addicts we may be as smokers but they discriminate against us!!

Jim 007

Ralphy you are 100% correct. Discrimination towards smokers is rife. Will anything be done to stop this discrimination? Probably not. Doesn't make sense to me. Smoking is legal. Our...

Long term smokers should get smoking aids for free!thats if the government is so concerned with our health!